"The Servant of God"
The basic truths of the New Testament are contained in the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. If we took away the all the New Testament books but these, Christianity would be unmanageable. If we took away the Gospels Christianity would be unattainable.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are setting before us the person of Jesus Christ. These four men; a tax collector, a nobody, a physician, and a fisherman reveal to the world THE CHRIST. How can it be?
Who would have chosen such an odd mixture of men to write the memoirs of Jesus Christ? You must remember II Timothy 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: It isn’t just the man, it is the Spirit of Christ in the man.
Keep in mind that the four Gospels present the matchless Person of Christ: His virgin birth, His sinless life, His countless miracles, His magnificent teachings, His atoning death, and His triumphant resurrection.
John Mark was the son of Mary who lived in Jerusalem. Mark grew up in a home that had become an early church meeting place (Acts 12:12).
We learn more about John when we see Paul’s first missionary journey. He, Mark and Barnabas set out to witness to the world but John Mark becomes homesick and returns home. He abandoned the work of the Lord and Paul did not want to have anything to do with Mark for many years.
Mark than made things right with the Lord and his life proved to Paul that he meant business for the Lord.
Mark writes mainly to the Romans. He was believed to be a Levite, a disciple of Peter.
He sets forth Christ as the Servant of the Lord, because Mark had become a great servant of the Lord.
The Key verse is Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
The Roman Empire controlled the world at this time. The saying was the sun never sets on Rome. It was a great honor to be a Roman citizen but there were more slaves and servants in the Roman Empire than citizens.
The language was a course Greek style language that was used in the slave market.
One of the great missionary societies has, as its logo, a picture of an ox. On one side of the ox is a plow; on the other side is an altar. The caption reads, “Ready for either.”
This was the heart of Mark for this was the heart of his Lord. In the opening chapter of Mark is the plow; the Son of Man gives His life in service. In the closing chapters of Mark is the altar; the Son of Man gives His life in sacrifice.
OUTLINE:
There are two main thoughts in the Gospel of Mark:
I – THE SERVANT GIVES HIS LIFE IN SERVICE (1-10)
II – THE SERVANT GIVES HIS LIFE IN SACRIFICE (11-16)
* * * * * * * * *
I – THE SERVANT GIVES HIS LIFE IN SERVICE (1-10)
1 – The Servant’s work (1-3)
A – The Beginning of the work 1
Mark opens his Gospel by revealing “God’s servants.” John the Baptist is first seen as he is preaching, baptizing and ministering for the Lord.
After the Lord’s baptism, the Lord takes the baton of service and begins to preach and heal all manner of diseases.
Mark 1: 32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
The whole of Mark’s Gospel shows the “Servant of Jehovah destroying the works of the devil. Thus, Jesus is serving others.
The works of God’s Servant was being spread across Israel (1:45). You would think that all of Israel would rejoice that the works of God and the words of prophesy had been revealed in the works of Christ and the Words of the Messiah, but they did not.
B – The Belittling of the work 2:1-3:6
Jesus continues in Capernaum to do good works and to heal the sick and to forgive sin. When he told one man that his sins were forgiven, rather than the religious crowd rejoicing, they found fought with Christ words for they were blind and they envied Him. (2:1-12)
Then the Pharisees began to compare and complain that Jesus’ disciples did not fast. Why? Again they were looking for fault in God’s Servant rather than beholding the “Light” of God (2:13-22).
Jesus again reaches out to serve (3:1-6). He heals a withered man’s hand and rather than the religious crowd rejoicing, they yoked up with the Herodians to find a way to kill Christ.
C – The Blessedness of the work 3:7-19
Mark then reveals that Christ chose twelve to serve to which He gives the baton of service that they might go out and preach and serve.
D – The Blaspheme of the Work 3:20-35
It is revealed that no matter how religious a person is, if he rejects Jesus Christ as the Savior and Light of the world he will eventually proclaim the Christ is evil and even devilish (3:22).
2 – The Servant’s Words (4-5)
Jesus did many wonderful works as the Servant of the Lord but even greater were His Words. In His words we see two thoughts:
A - The Purpose (4:1-34)
The purpose of a servant of the Lord is to sow seed. We are God’s sons by birth and servants by calling. In Mark 4 the Lord tells the story of the sower and the seed. As the Lord sowed seed, so we are to sow seed. It is a servant’s responsibility to sow it is God’s responsibility to bring forth fruit. Just sow and leave the rest to the Lord. As the Lord said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord;” John 13:16
B - The Power (4:35-5:43)
God saves us for many reasons: As sons we honor the Father, as saints we live righteously, as subjects of heaven we long for our eternal home and as servants we faithfully serve. But, a servant wants to know the power or wealth of the one he is serving.
In these verses we behold the Lord’s power of the storms and the power of the spirits.
In Mark 4:35-41 as Jesus and His disciples are sailing across the Sea of Galilee a mighty storm picks up and begins to fill the ship with water. Great fear fell upon the disciples as their Lord was asleep. They cried to Him in great distress. The Lord rises and speaks “Peace, be still” and the sea lies down like glass. They stood in amazement that he had power of the elements of this physical world.
In Mark 5:1-20 Jesus takes His disciples to the country of the Gadarenes. There He faces the demoniac who was possessed with 6,000 spirits or devils of which no man or group of men could tame. Jesus cast the demons out and delivered the man so that he was in his right mind. This miracle proved his power over the element of the spiritual world.
In Mark 5:21-43 we see the Lord’s power over time and death. A ruler of the synagogue named Jairus came to Jesus asking for help for his daughter was death sick. As Jesus was making His way to Jairus’ house a multitude crowded around him. In the midst of that multitude there was a woman of great sickness and great faith who touched the helm of Jesus’ garment. Jesus stopped the procession and took the time to recognize and give healing and words of comfort to this lady.
But, during that time-span, Jairus’ daughter died. Jarius told Jesus that His service would not be needed any longer. Jesus replied with an amazing statement, “Be not afraid only believe” (5:36). Jesus went to Jarius’ house and raised the damsel from the dead. Here we see Jesus has power not just over the physical world, the spiritual world but even over the world of the dead.
What a mighty God we serve. He has all power!
As Mark continues to show forth Jesus Christ as the Servant of the Lord, we see His great miracle of the “Feeding of the Five Thousand” in Mark 6:30-44 and power to “Walk on the Water” in Mark 5:45-52.
Another great example was when Jesus heeded to the cry of the Syrophenician woman. Jesus had come to the house of Israel to minister to them, but a non-Jewish woman comes to Him and ask if He would cast a demon out of her daughter. Jesus says, “Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread and to cast it unto the dogs.” But, look at this woman’s heart. She says, “Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.” And because of her humble heart the Lord healed her daughter.
3 – The Servant’s Worth (8:27-9:13)
We have see the servants words and works, now we see the servant’s worth. Mark reveals to the Romans that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the promised seed of Abraham’s race but Jesus told them to tell no man. Why? Because Christ knew that before He would become the Messiah to Israel, He would become the Savior of the world. (8:27-30).
Another thought Christ gives about the worth of a servant is this. It isn’t what you gain in this world that makes you valuable but what you give up (Mark 8:34-38)*.
4 – The Servant’s Will (9:14 - 29)
Jesus Christ as the Servant of the Lord willed to deliver people from every evil in life. Often so people are not delivered because “we” do not fast and pray. As the disciples realized they were powerless to deliver one such man and they brought him to Jesus for deliverance. They ask why they could not help the man and Jesus reveals a great truth. “And he said unto them, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
God wills that people be saved and so often healed, but it will take prayer and fasting.
5 – The Servant’s Wisdom (9:30-10:52)
Jesus tells the disciples that it is not the great things that they accomplish in life that brings glory to God but the little things (9:41).
“Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name…he shall not lose his reward.”
And the greatness of one’s life is seen in his faith in reaching out to the needy, not in associating with the wealthy.
The example Jesus gives of this is the Rich man who came to Christ but would not give his heart to Christ. He gave his heart to his treasures and missed heaven by 18 inches. He had given his mind to Christ, but not his heart.
I – THE SERVANT GIVES HIS LIFE IN SERVICE (1-10)
II – THE SERVANT GIVES HIS LIFE IN SACRIFICE (11-16)
In the early Church tens of thousands and millions gave their lives for the cause of Jesus Christ. The very catacombs of Rome housed over three million bodies before the end of the third century.
1 – Calvary Crisis (11-12)
The Lord Jesus now come to the place where He will serve His Father unto death. He enters Jerusalem for the last week of His life.
A - Our Lord’s Provoking Actions (11:1-26)
Two displays of our Lord’s actions cause provoking or irritating actions of others. 1) He curses a fig tree. At first it seems like a simple jester known only to the Lord, but it was a sign to Israel that they had rejected Him and thus had become rejected by Him.
2) Jesus goes into the temple that should have been a house of prayer but had become a den of thieves. He overthrew the tables and drove the moneychangers out and stopped all sales that day. The scribes and priest became irate and again sought for a way to destroy Christ.
B - Our Lord’s Provoking Arguments (11:27-12:44)
The Scribes and Pharisees are looking for a means to accuse Christ so they try to trip Him with the question, “Who gave you the authority to do what you do?” Jesus knew it was a trick question. So rather than answer them, He ask them, “Was John sent from God or called of men?” They couldn’t answer Him for they feared the people and said, “We can’t tell you.” So Christ said, “then neither will I answer you.” (11:27-33)
Then the Lord gives an Old Testament story about Israel and the Vineyard (12:1-12).
He tells the story of a husbandmen who lent out his vineyard but when he sent his men to get the records and give corrections the wicked servants of the vineyard beat and killed the servants. When the husbandman sent his son, they killed him. Then the Lord ends the story with these words, “This was the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes?” The Lord was telling the Romans that it was the Jews that killed Christ. (12:1-12)
2 – Calvary’s Consequences (13:1-14:31)
Because Jesus was rejected by those He came to save, the Millennial kingdom would not be set up and it would usher in last day tribulation. In our Lord’s mercy He began the Church Age which has lasted 2,000 years, but any day, any hour, the Lord could call His children home and the days of tribulation could begin.
A - Public (13)
Our Lord publically tells of many signs which would foretell those last days. He speaks of the temple being torn down stone by stone which seemed to be impossible for many, many years was spent building this massive temple and people thought, why would anyone tear it down stone by stone. Yet less than forty years later (70 AD) the temple was burned and the gold melted over the stones. Titus gave the order to tear the temple down stone by stone and scrape the gold off each stone.
Because of Calvary, the Temple was destroyed. (3:1-2)
Because of Calvary, Trouble would come (3:3-13). Many false prophets, wars, battles and betrayal will take place before the Lord sets up His kingdom.
Because of Calvary the Tribulation will come (13:14-23). The Antichrist will blaspheme the God of heaven and great woe will fall upon all of Israel.
Because of Calvary the Timing would be unknown (Matt 13:24-37).
B - Private (14:1-31)
When Jesus was alone with His own Mary anointed the Lord.
Judas betrays our Lord and the disciples have their last supper with the Lord. Jesus predicts Peter’s denial and Mark reveals our Lord’s heart rendering prayer in Gethsemane.
Mark lets the Romans know what went on behind closed doors. Our Lord lived in a glass house. He hid nothing from anyone’s eyes. If anyone wants to know the truth – Mark’s Gospel is clear, all one has to do is read it and believe. But, if one believes, they must commit their lives to Christ.
3 – Calvary’s Cross (14:32-15:47)
The Servant of the Lord who had the power to heal the sick and raise the dead knows the shadow of the cross was in sight.
A - God’s will (14:32-41)
AS the Lord entered Gethsemane He prayed for three hours while His disciples slept.
B – Man’s Wickedness (14:42-15:15)
The wicked Mob comes to the garden let by Judas who betrays Jesus with a kiss. A token of friendship had become a token of betrayal. Jesus is brought before Caiaphas, mocked, ridiculed and led away. He is thus rejected by the Jews, yea by the religious crowd of the day.
C – Sacrificial Way (15:16-47)
He is brought before Pilate, questioned and sentenced to death. Again He is mocked, persecuted and crucified. He is laid in the tomb to be forgotten and rid of.
4 – Calvary’s Crime (16)
The Roman government and the Jewish nation had committed a very serious crime. They not only crucified an innocent man, they crucified the Son of God.
A – Victory over the Grave (16:1-14)
And Christ came out of the grave, for the tomb was empty and the angels proclaimed, “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which was crucified; He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him.”
John reveals many to whom the Lord appeared and ends with words we all need to know.
B – Victory of the Globe (16:15-20)
“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” We that are servants of the Lord and saved by grace should obey and tell our family and friends the greatest news in the world, “Jesus Saves.”
Friday, December 21, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
THE FOUR GOSPELS AND THE BOOK OF MATTHEW
The Gospel of Matthew Summarized
Simon Greenleaf, a 19th century Harvard graduate, and one of America’s greatest lawyers, examined the evidence given to the world in the four Gospels. He, at the age of sixty-three, wrote a 563 page book examining and scrutinizing the pages of these four Gospels and concluded that the Gospels are absolutely trustworthy.
Paul said it this way, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (I Tim 1:15).
The reason God gives us four Gospels is to give us four views of Christ. The four Gospels were written by four different men to four different groups of people.
Though they were written for our edification and spiritual growth, they were written at from four different perspectives.
Matthew, Mark and Luke were called the synoptic Gospels because what they say about Christ’s life is very similar. John’s Gospel is known as the supplementary Gospel because it compliments the others.
The synoptic Gospels present Christ's ministry in Galilee. They speak mainly of His works and focon his parables.
The supplementary Gospel presents Christ's ministry in Judea. It spaks mainly of Christ's words and focuses on His discourses.
Matthew: Matthew presents his Gospel from a Jewish perspective for he desires to reach the Jews. He presents Christ as Sovereign.
The Jewish people were looking for a king and would therefore want to know his genealogy. Matthew gives just that of Jesus Christ.
He reveals the relationship Jesus had with the law and the prophets.
He proved that Christ upheld the whole law. -He showed that Christ fulfilled the Old Testaments prophecies of the Messiah. -He thus quoted the Old Testament Scriptures often to prove to the Jewish Nation that Jesus was the Christ who came to establish His kingdom on earth.
Mark: Mark writes mainly to the Romans. His full name was John Mark. He was believed to be a Levite, a disciple of Peter.
He sets forth Christ as the Servant of the Lord. The reason for this being, that there were more slaves in Rome than citizens. The language was a course Greek style language that was used in the slave market.
He takes the time to explain Jewish customs that the Romans would not understand. His emphasis was on the Lord’s doings or works more than His sayings. He wished to impress the Romans that Christ was a man of actions.
Mark discuses things that relate to servants like clothing, food, utensils, service, trade, boating, fishing, animals. It is written in common words for a common people.
Luke: Luke a Greek, a scholar, a doctor and a very close companion of the Apostle Paul presents his gospel to the Greek world.
He presents Jesus Christ as the perfect man, in detail, with simplicity, as the Savior of the world.
His main thrust was just that, to show the Greeks and the world that Jesus Christ was the Savior of Sinners.
The key verse would be Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
John: John’s Gospel is written to the Church mainly. He proves the great doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ. In First John, he makes it clear that whoever does not believe in the deity of Christ is an Antichrist.
The key word in John’s Gospel is “believe.” It appears over sixty times. It would be very wise to know the origin and root meaning of the word “believe” for that word is essential for salvation. He presents Christ as the Son of God.
Conclusion: The four Gospels give the life of Jesus Christ actually from before His birth to His death, to His resurrection and beyond.
They are very brief, yet very remarkable. They discuss his love and his life, His worth and His works. But mostly they discuss the “death of Christ.”
-Matthew gives eight chapters (2/7th) of his Gospel towards His death.
-Mark writes six chapters (3/8th) about Christ’s death.
-Luke gives five of his chapters or about 1/4th and -John dedicates ten chapters or nearly 1/2 of his Gospel to the Passion Week. Why?
The death of Christ on Calvary, His burial and resurrection wrought redemption for the lost sinners.
Jesus did not die as a martyr for a noble cause. He died as a Redeemer for sinful men.
His crucifixion and death was not an accident. It was an accomplishment.
Simon Greenleaf, a 19th century Harvard graduate, and one of America’s greatest lawyers, examined the evidence given to the world in the four Gospels. He, at the age of sixty-three, wrote a 563 page book examining and scrutinizing the pages of these four Gospels and concluded that the Gospels are absolutely trustworthy.
Paul said it this way, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (I Tim 1:15).
The reason God gives us four Gospels is to give us four views of Christ. The four Gospels were written by four different men to four different groups of people.
Though they were written for our edification and spiritual growth, they were written at from four different perspectives.
Matthew, Mark and Luke were called the synoptic Gospels because what they say about Christ’s life is very similar. John’s Gospel is known as the supplementary Gospel because it compliments the others.
The synoptic Gospels present Christ's ministry in Galilee. They speak mainly of His works and focon his parables.
The supplementary Gospel presents Christ's ministry in Judea. It spaks mainly of Christ's words and focuses on His discourses.
Matthew: Matthew presents his Gospel from a Jewish perspective for he desires to reach the Jews. He presents Christ as Sovereign.
The Jewish people were looking for a king and would therefore want to know his genealogy. Matthew gives just that of Jesus Christ.
He reveals the relationship Jesus had with the law and the prophets.
He proved that Christ upheld the whole law. -He showed that Christ fulfilled the Old Testaments prophecies of the Messiah. -He thus quoted the Old Testament Scriptures often to prove to the Jewish Nation that Jesus was the Christ who came to establish His kingdom on earth.
Mark: Mark writes mainly to the Romans. His full name was John Mark. He was believed to be a Levite, a disciple of Peter.
He sets forth Christ as the Servant of the Lord. The reason for this being, that there were more slaves in Rome than citizens. The language was a course Greek style language that was used in the slave market.
He takes the time to explain Jewish customs that the Romans would not understand. His emphasis was on the Lord’s doings or works more than His sayings. He wished to impress the Romans that Christ was a man of actions.
Mark discuses things that relate to servants like clothing, food, utensils, service, trade, boating, fishing, animals. It is written in common words for a common people.
Luke: Luke a Greek, a scholar, a doctor and a very close companion of the Apostle Paul presents his gospel to the Greek world.
He presents Jesus Christ as the perfect man, in detail, with simplicity, as the Savior of the world.
His main thrust was just that, to show the Greeks and the world that Jesus Christ was the Savior of Sinners.
The key verse would be Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
John: John’s Gospel is written to the Church mainly. He proves the great doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ. In First John, he makes it clear that whoever does not believe in the deity of Christ is an Antichrist.
The key word in John’s Gospel is “believe.” It appears over sixty times. It would be very wise to know the origin and root meaning of the word “believe” for that word is essential for salvation. He presents Christ as the Son of God.
Conclusion: The four Gospels give the life of Jesus Christ actually from before His birth to His death, to His resurrection and beyond.
They are very brief, yet very remarkable. They discuss his love and his life, His worth and His works. But mostly they discuss the “death of Christ.”
-Matthew gives eight chapters (2/7th) of his Gospel towards His death.
-Mark writes six chapters (3/8th) about Christ’s death.
-Luke gives five of his chapters or about 1/4th and -John dedicates ten chapters or nearly 1/2 of his Gospel to the Passion Week. Why?
The death of Christ on Calvary, His burial and resurrection wrought redemption for the lost sinners.
Jesus did not die as a martyr for a noble cause. He died as a Redeemer for sinful men.
His crucifixion and death was not an accident. It was an accomplishment.
A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF MATTHEW
Matthew, the author of this book was one of the Lord’s disciples. Prior to his calling he was part of one of the most despised and hated institutions in the Roman government. He was a publican or a tax collector.
When he believed on Christ, he turned his back immediately on his world’s fortune, threw a great feast for Christ and invited his colleagues.
Matthew 9: 9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew, the author of this book was one of the Lord’s disciples. Prior to his calling he was part of one of the most despised and hated institutions in the Roman government. He was a publican or a tax collector.
When he believed on Christ, he turned his back immediately on his world’s fortune, threw a great feast for Christ and invited his colleagues.
Matthew 9: 9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew’s purpose of this party was to introduce his friends to his Lord and Savior. Matthew’s heart is his Gospel. He wanted his nation to know that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God who had come to set up His kingdom.
There are some PECULIARITIES IN MATTHEW’S GOSPEL that reveals his heart for the Jewish people.
1 – The expression, “The kingdom of heaven” appears thirty-two times in Matthew and occurs in no other Gospel.
This key phase, “The kingdom of Heaven” speaks of the time when the heavens will rule over all the earthly kingdoms of this world in answer to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:10.
-Matthew revealed this to the Jewish nation and had they accepted Christ as the Messiah, Christ would have set up the millennial kingdom.
-But, because they rejected Him, the time when the heavens will rule the earth has been delayed till after the Tribulation Period.
-That is why you see people living in the kingdom parables being cast into a lake of fire. At the end of the Millennium kingdom those who have rejected Christ as Savior will ultimately be damned.
All in the Kingdom of God are saved (John 3:3) whereas in the Kingdom of heaven we have many unsaved people (Matt 8:12; 22:13, 25:30).
2 – “Father which is in heaven” occurs fourteen times in Matthew and only once in Mark. Again Matthew recognizes Jesus’ relationship to God.
1 – The expression, “The kingdom of heaven” appears thirty-two times in Matthew and occurs in no other Gospel.
This key phase, “The kingdom of Heaven” speaks of the time when the heavens will rule over all the earthly kingdoms of this world in answer to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:10.
-Matthew revealed this to the Jewish nation and had they accepted Christ as the Messiah, Christ would have set up the millennial kingdom.
-But, because they rejected Him, the time when the heavens will rule the earth has been delayed till after the Tribulation Period.
-That is why you see people living in the kingdom parables being cast into a lake of fire. At the end of the Millennium kingdom those who have rejected Christ as Savior will ultimately be damned.
All in the Kingdom of God are saved (John 3:3) whereas in the Kingdom of heaven we have many unsaved people (Matt 8:12; 22:13, 25:30).
2 – “Father which is in heaven” occurs fourteen times in Matthew and only once in Mark. Again Matthew recognizes Jesus’ relationship to God.
3 – “Son of David” appears seventeen times in the New Testament and ten of those times in Matthew. Jesus had to be the son of David to be the Messiah. This truth was in the hearts of the Jews.
4 – “That is might be fulfilled” appears nine times in Matthew and nowhere else in the Bible and “That which was spoken” appears fourteen times in Matthew and nowhere else in the Bible. These two phrases speak of prophecy. The law of probability of these prophetic scriptures being fulfilled in one person is 1X 10 to the 58th power. It is nearly impossible unless God rules in the affairs of men.
5 – His Gospel is saturated with quotes from the Old Testament.
The Jews were taught to believe that when the Messiah came He would conquer all of Israel’s enemies. He would in turn make Jerusalem the capital of a Jewish world empire. Most Jews believed in the Christ but they did not believe Jesus was that Christ. Why?
The Jew had not been taught the Scriptures correctly. Just as today many churches will not preach the whole word of God because they fear the people more than God.
And so it was in those four-hundred silent years before Christ came, most of the Synagogues did not preach the Torah, the prophets and the writings of God. Most of them were preaching the Talmud and sadly the Scribes and Pharisees who knew not God were doing the teaching.
Matthew does not go in chronological order but he does group his material together in a manner easily to be understood.
1 – He reveals what Jesus taught. – (Sermon on the Mount 5-7).
2 – He reveals what Jesus wrought – (Works and miracles (8-9).
3 – He reveals what Jesus thought – (Public and private (10-25).
THE OUTLINE OF MATTHEW
1 – THE KING IS REVEALED 1:1 – 9:38
2 – THE KING IS RESISTED 10:1-16:12
3 – THE KING IS REJECTED 16:13 – 27:66
4 – THE KING IS RAISED 28:1-20
1 – THE KING IS REVEALED 1:1 – 9:38
Matthew knows that the Jews must be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Therefore he traces the genealogy of Christ through the regal line of David beginning with Abraham and ending with Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, thus showing Christ as the Son of David and Solomon.
Whereas Luke gave the legal line through Nathan, an elder brother of Solomon (2 Samuel 5:14) ending with Mary, the Lord’s mother.
Matthew reveals the Lord’s person and purpose and power.
1 - He proves the Person of Christ in 1) His ancestry line (1:1-17). The Jews kept close records of their lineage. Had they taken the time to study Joseph and Mary’s lineage it would have proven totally accurate and precise.
2) Matthew then reveals the Lord’s advent. His coming in this world was prophesized and fulfilled.
Isaiah 7:14 tells us He would born of a virgin (Matt 1:23) and Micah 5:2 tells us he would be born in Bethlehem (Matt 2:1). Again proof that Jesus is the Christ.
3) Matthew thirdly reveals Christ’s ambassadorship. He was called and commissioned by God. The day John Baptized Jesus a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17).
4) Then Matthew reveals the Lord’s adversary (4:1-11). Satan tempted Jesus in the very beginning of his ministry. He will also tempt you. He will do everything he can to stop you before you ever get started.
Jesus was tempted with the lust of the flesh. Would He live to satisfy His flesh or would He live by the Word of God? Jesus lived for spiritual things and not material things because He knew the Scriptures.
Jesus was tempted by the lust of the eyes. Jesus was tempted to live a as He pleased, but He refused. His life was scheduled and organized around the Word of God.
Jesus was tempted by the pride of life. Satan tempted Jesus with power, position and possession. Jesus turned it down and declared that man should worship God and not the things of this life.
2 - The Lord’s purpose is revealed (4:12-7:29). Matthew shows us that the Lord will witness to the world through Men (4:12-25). He called twelve disciples to follow Him and learn of Him and carry on when He was gone. He does the same today. Will you be one of His discipline ones?
The Lord will witness through His Message. The great Sermon on the Mount is impossible for any man or woman to live today outside of knowing Christ as Savior and even then the flesh will rise up again and again. But what will attract a lost world to Christ is Men with the Message from their lips and their life.
3 - The Lord then reveals His power (Chapters 8, 9). He heals the sick and walks on water and raises the dead. He does miracle after miracle to prove to the Jewish people that He is the Christ.
When you come to Matthew 12:38-39 the Jews said show us a sign. Jesus said you are and evil and adulterous generation, the only sign I will give you is the sign of Jonah.
Learn something about some people. Some folks are so blind that even if Christ did reveal a great sign to them they would explain it away and reject Him anyway. The sign has already been given!
II THE KING IS RESISTED (10:1 - 16:12)
Jesus foretells the resistance the disciples could expect but He reveals though Matthew (10:5-7) that His disciples were to go to the Jews only and not the Gentiles. Matthew wanted the Jews to know how special they were and also warned of great persecution for anyone who lived for Christ. Matthew 10:16, “Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
In Matthew 11 the persecution is revealed. John the Baptist has been thrown in jail and would soon be beheaded.
In Matthew 12 the Lord continues to do good works but the Pharisees only find fault. Rather than rejoicing over someone being healed they complained because Jesus did his healing on the Sabbath day.
Application: There are many “religious Pharisees” in churches today. Rather than rejoicing over someone getting saved and the word of God being preached the Pharisee looks to find fault with this and that in the church. Watch out for the “leaven of the Pharisees.”
In Summary many mighty happenings take place over the next few chapters.
A - Jesus preaches in parables so the blinded Pharisees won’t understand what he is saying.
B - John the Baptist is beheaded.
C - Jesus feeds the five thousand.
D - Jesus walks on the water.
E - Jesus heals many and again Matthew reveals the evil ways of the Pharisees. (Matthew 16). They came looking for a sign again and Jesus had given sign after sign after sign.
Matthew records these words again in Matthew 16:4, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and there shall no sigh be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.”
III – THE KING IS REJECTED (16:13-27:66)
From this point on the nation of Israel as a whole rejected the Christ.
Jesus first speaks in Private to His own (16:13-20:34). He asks them, “Who do people say that I the son of man am?” Then He asks in so many words, who am I to you? That is when Peter pipes up with those marvelous inspired words from Heaven, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” How does the Lord answer Peter? With the phrase, that My “Father which is in heaven” revealed this to you.
It was then and their He established His Church.
Jesus reveals again to the disciples that He must die (16:21-28) and if their lives are to count for Him, they must be willing to take up His cross and follow Him.
Jesus gives those famous words, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” 16:26a
He then ends with many illustrations of the need of Salvation to the lost sheep of Israel, to the Rich man and the need of laborers in the field.
Jesus then engages in Public disputes (Chapters 21-23).
Jesus goes to the Temple which should have been used in holy worship but it had become a den of thieves. He now preaches publicly for all to hear. He cleanses the temple and curses the Fig tree.
His most fierce sermon against prideful religion comes in Matthew 23. He exposes the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He calls them hypocrites and children of hell, blind guides and fools.
Jesus then engages in a Prophetic discourse (Matthew 24-25).
**He tells of what will transpire in the last days before He returns and sets up His kingdom. Any man, Jew or Gentile, that would know the Old Testament and who would study the New Testament, would see so clearly that the words of Jesus Christ were the prophetic words of God.
Jesus is engaged in Persecution (Matthew 26).
The plot is formed as the scribes and chief priest and elders consult to kill Jesus (26:1-5).
Then Judas presents his falsehoods in hope of financial gain.
Jesus retires to Gethsemane where He faces the cup.
The trial is framed against Christ and the facts of the crucifixion is revealed. His body is placed in the grave to show forth the finality of the burial.
IV – THE KING IS RAISED (28)
Matthew 28 is as true as Genesis 1 or Isaiah 53. The tomb that Jesus was laid in was opened as the angel rolled away the stone and the Light broke through dispelling the darkness of that tomb.
The doubting disciples now knew that their Lord was alive. He appeared to all of them and then to hundreds around the countryside for forty days. The news traveled through out the land.
The news of His resurrection began to spread like wild fire for the King was alive.
At this time the Lie broke in. The Sanhedrin, yea the religious crowd again paid off Judas, now they would have to pay off the political powers to tell the lie that his body had been stolen. Matthew only records this truth. Sadly it seems that every man has his price in this skeptical world in which we live.
But Matthew ends as he reveals that the Lord broke in. He declares that all power has been given to Him and he commands His disciples to tell the world and to teach the world and to preach to the world that He lives (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Jews were taught to believe that when the Messiah came He would conquer all of Israel’s enemies. He would in turn make Jerusalem the capital of a Jewish world empire. Most Jews believed in the Christ but they did not believe Jesus was that Christ. Why?
The Jew had not been taught the Scriptures correctly. Just as today many churches will not preach the whole word of God because they fear the people more than God.
And so it was in those four-hundred silent years before Christ came, most of the Synagogues did not preach the Torah, the prophets and the writings of God. Most of them were preaching the Talmud and sadly the Scribes and Pharisees who knew not God were doing the teaching.
Matthew does not go in chronological order but he does group his material together in a manner easily to be understood.
1 – He reveals what Jesus taught. – (Sermon on the Mount 5-7).
2 – He reveals what Jesus wrought – (Works and miracles (8-9).
3 – He reveals what Jesus thought – (Public and private (10-25).
THE OUTLINE OF MATTHEW
1 – THE KING IS REVEALED 1:1 – 9:38
2 – THE KING IS RESISTED 10:1-16:12
3 – THE KING IS REJECTED 16:13 – 27:66
4 – THE KING IS RAISED 28:1-20
1 – THE KING IS REVEALED 1:1 – 9:38
Matthew knows that the Jews must be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Therefore he traces the genealogy of Christ through the regal line of David beginning with Abraham and ending with Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, thus showing Christ as the Son of David and Solomon.
Whereas Luke gave the legal line through Nathan, an elder brother of Solomon (2 Samuel 5:14) ending with Mary, the Lord’s mother.
Matthew reveals the Lord’s person and purpose and power.
1 - He proves the Person of Christ in 1) His ancestry line (1:1-17). The Jews kept close records of their lineage. Had they taken the time to study Joseph and Mary’s lineage it would have proven totally accurate and precise.
2) Matthew then reveals the Lord’s advent. His coming in this world was prophesized and fulfilled.
Isaiah 7:14 tells us He would born of a virgin (Matt 1:23) and Micah 5:2 tells us he would be born in Bethlehem (Matt 2:1). Again proof that Jesus is the Christ.
3) Matthew thirdly reveals Christ’s ambassadorship. He was called and commissioned by God. The day John Baptized Jesus a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17).
4) Then Matthew reveals the Lord’s adversary (4:1-11). Satan tempted Jesus in the very beginning of his ministry. He will also tempt you. He will do everything he can to stop you before you ever get started.
Jesus was tempted with the lust of the flesh. Would He live to satisfy His flesh or would He live by the Word of God? Jesus lived for spiritual things and not material things because He knew the Scriptures.
Jesus was tempted by the lust of the eyes. Jesus was tempted to live a as He pleased, but He refused. His life was scheduled and organized around the Word of God.
Jesus was tempted by the pride of life. Satan tempted Jesus with power, position and possession. Jesus turned it down and declared that man should worship God and not the things of this life.
2 - The Lord’s purpose is revealed (4:12-7:29). Matthew shows us that the Lord will witness to the world through Men (4:12-25). He called twelve disciples to follow Him and learn of Him and carry on when He was gone. He does the same today. Will you be one of His discipline ones?
The Lord will witness through His Message. The great Sermon on the Mount is impossible for any man or woman to live today outside of knowing Christ as Savior and even then the flesh will rise up again and again. But what will attract a lost world to Christ is Men with the Message from their lips and their life.
3 - The Lord then reveals His power (Chapters 8, 9). He heals the sick and walks on water and raises the dead. He does miracle after miracle to prove to the Jewish people that He is the Christ.
When you come to Matthew 12:38-39 the Jews said show us a sign. Jesus said you are and evil and adulterous generation, the only sign I will give you is the sign of Jonah.
Learn something about some people. Some folks are so blind that even if Christ did reveal a great sign to them they would explain it away and reject Him anyway. The sign has already been given!
II THE KING IS RESISTED (10:1 - 16:12)
Jesus foretells the resistance the disciples could expect but He reveals though Matthew (10:5-7) that His disciples were to go to the Jews only and not the Gentiles. Matthew wanted the Jews to know how special they were and also warned of great persecution for anyone who lived for Christ. Matthew 10:16, “Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
In Matthew 11 the persecution is revealed. John the Baptist has been thrown in jail and would soon be beheaded.
In Matthew 12 the Lord continues to do good works but the Pharisees only find fault. Rather than rejoicing over someone being healed they complained because Jesus did his healing on the Sabbath day.
Application: There are many “religious Pharisees” in churches today. Rather than rejoicing over someone getting saved and the word of God being preached the Pharisee looks to find fault with this and that in the church. Watch out for the “leaven of the Pharisees.”
In Summary many mighty happenings take place over the next few chapters.
A - Jesus preaches in parables so the blinded Pharisees won’t understand what he is saying.
B - John the Baptist is beheaded.
C - Jesus feeds the five thousand.
D - Jesus walks on the water.
E - Jesus heals many and again Matthew reveals the evil ways of the Pharisees. (Matthew 16). They came looking for a sign again and Jesus had given sign after sign after sign.
Matthew records these words again in Matthew 16:4, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and there shall no sigh be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.”
III – THE KING IS REJECTED (16:13-27:66)
From this point on the nation of Israel as a whole rejected the Christ.
Jesus first speaks in Private to His own (16:13-20:34). He asks them, “Who do people say that I the son of man am?” Then He asks in so many words, who am I to you? That is when Peter pipes up with those marvelous inspired words from Heaven, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” How does the Lord answer Peter? With the phrase, that My “Father which is in heaven” revealed this to you.
It was then and their He established His Church.
Jesus reveals again to the disciples that He must die (16:21-28) and if their lives are to count for Him, they must be willing to take up His cross and follow Him.
Jesus gives those famous words, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” 16:26a
He then ends with many illustrations of the need of Salvation to the lost sheep of Israel, to the Rich man and the need of laborers in the field.
Jesus then engages in Public disputes (Chapters 21-23).
Jesus goes to the Temple which should have been used in holy worship but it had become a den of thieves. He now preaches publicly for all to hear. He cleanses the temple and curses the Fig tree.
His most fierce sermon against prideful religion comes in Matthew 23. He exposes the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He calls them hypocrites and children of hell, blind guides and fools.
Jesus then engages in a Prophetic discourse (Matthew 24-25).
**He tells of what will transpire in the last days before He returns and sets up His kingdom. Any man, Jew or Gentile, that would know the Old Testament and who would study the New Testament, would see so clearly that the words of Jesus Christ were the prophetic words of God.
Jesus is engaged in Persecution (Matthew 26).
The plot is formed as the scribes and chief priest and elders consult to kill Jesus (26:1-5).
Then Judas presents his falsehoods in hope of financial gain.
Jesus retires to Gethsemane where He faces the cup.
The trial is framed against Christ and the facts of the crucifixion is revealed. His body is placed in the grave to show forth the finality of the burial.
IV – THE KING IS RAISED (28)
Matthew 28 is as true as Genesis 1 or Isaiah 53. The tomb that Jesus was laid in was opened as the angel rolled away the stone and the Light broke through dispelling the darkness of that tomb.
The doubting disciples now knew that their Lord was alive. He appeared to all of them and then to hundreds around the countryside for forty days. The news traveled through out the land.
The news of His resurrection began to spread like wild fire for the King was alive.
At this time the Lie broke in. The Sanhedrin, yea the religious crowd again paid off Judas, now they would have to pay off the political powers to tell the lie that his body had been stolen. Matthew only records this truth. Sadly it seems that every man has his price in this skeptical world in which we live.
But Matthew ends as he reveals that the Lord broke in. He declares that all power has been given to Him and he commands His disciples to tell the world and to teach the world and to preach to the world that He lives (Matthew 28:18-20).
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